The present invention provides IEEE 802.11u failover for a mesh network that contains a root node coupled to a network operations center through a backhaul connection and coupled to a plurality of non-root nodes at least one non-root node of which being capable of IEEE 802.11u communication with an infrastructure device of an external network. A first step includes determining that a first connection to the root-node in the mesh network has been disrupted, disrupting communications on the backhaul connection. A next step includes configuring the one non-root node to act as a root node and configuring a radio of the one non-root node to act as an IEEE 802.11u client. A next step includes associating the radio to the infrastructure device of the external network using an IEEE 802.11u protocol. A next step includes establishing a secure tunnel second connection from the one non-root node to the network operations center through the infrastructure device of the external network using the IEEE 802.11u protocol. A next step includes passing backhaul data through the secure tunnel second connection.